The Stone In The Woods, Sunday Night

[endsthegame]

A weekend could pass in the blink of an eye, couldn't it?

The stone waited patiently until the sun sunk beneath the horizon. Only then did it resume its song, a call as clear as birdsong, but audible only to a few.

It was time to return.

[[ your catch-all say-goodbye post ]]

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[future_sandworm]

When he was young he would have longed for something like this to happen. Even after his father had died, attacked by Alia's assassins, he regretted not having had more time with him. Perhaps it was just too late now, for both of them.

"Goodbye father."

[messiahofdune]

Paul just looked at his son for a while, then shook his head. "I would wish you a good life if I could."

[future_sandworm]

Leto smiled a little. "No lies, at least." He hesitated, then added: "I spared Ghanima this."

[messiahofdune]

"No lies, no excuses." Paul snorted, then turned slowly towards the stone, prodding the ground in front of him with his staff.

[uncertain_dume]

Just a couple of days ago, Kanan had been sure of a million things he'd say to Master Billaba if ever he had a chance to go back and do things over. A million and one things.

Now she had, and it was time to say goodbye again, and most of what he'd managed this weekend had involved either crying, stuttering, or apologizing. So, this wasn't exactly going the way it had been rehearsed countless times in his head while he was going over his list of 'Regret Greatest Hits.'

"It was... good to see you again, Master."

For example, he had been sure he'd be able to do better than that.

[death_yet_force]

Depa had a million things she'd like to say to Kanan, too. But for now, this would do.

She smiled and took his hands. "It was. I'm glad we had this time together, padawan. Kanan." She looked him over, committing it all to memory. "You should know, this is never the path that I wanted for you, but I am proud of you nevertheless."

[uncertain_dume]

"Proud of me," Kanan echoed, feeling so very much like Caleb just then that his more current name coming from her mouth felt wrong, somehow. "I..."

He looked down at himself, not quite certain anymore what it was that she saw.

"Sorry, Master. For what?"

[death_yet_force]

Depa laughed. "Because you still ask questions. Because you try to be the best you can. Because you survive, and keep surviving. Because you don't give in to your enemies, or the odds, or the Dark side."

She gave him a look. "I'm not saying there aren't some things you could stand to work on. Just keep trying, and keep working on them, and know that I am always with you."

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy resisted the pull for as long as she could. But she couldn't resist it forever. "It's time to go," she murmured. "I'm sorry."

[whoisalicewhite]

"Are you sure?" Parker asked, sounding very hesitant. "Maybe just a little longer. Enough time for a milkshake, or another run..."

This never, ever got any easier. Even when they knew it was coming.

[spin_kick_snap]

Kathy shook her head, eyes filling with tears. "I wish I could," she said. "I...don't want to go."

[whoisalicewhite]

"So don't," Parker suggested, wrapping one hand around Kathy's wrist. "We can try to fight this, if you want."

If you want a grown-up to help you with this, Kathy, you picked the wrong one.